A government bans single-use plastic, claiming it will reduce ocean pollution. Which of the following, if true, best supports this decision?
A majority of coastal waste is composed of single-use plastic items.
This is a statement-and-argument (strengthening) question. We must pick the fact that, if true, most strongly supports the claim that banning single-use plastic will reduce ocean pollution.
A statement strengthens the decision only if it links single-use plastic directly to ocean/coastal pollution, so that removing single-use plastic would remove a large share of that pollution.
Option 3 states that a majority of coastal waste is composed of single-use plastic items. This directly ties single-use plastic to the pollution the ban targets, so banning it would remove most of that waste — this strongly supports the decision.
Option 1 says most ocean plastic comes from fishing nets and industrial waste. This actually weakens the ban, because it suggests single-use plastic is not the main source of ocean pollution.
Option 2 (citizens are unaware of recycling methods) is about public awareness, not about whether banning single-use plastic reduces ocean pollution, so it is irrelevant.
Option 4 (alternatives are costlier and less durable) speaks against the practicality of the ban, so it does not support the decision.
Only Option 3 provides direct evidence that removing single-use plastic will meaningfully cut ocean pollution.
Hence the correct answer is A majority of coastal waste is composed of single-use plastic items.
Similar Questions
In each question below is given a statement followed by two courses of action numbered I and II. You have to assume everything in the statement to be true and on the basis of the information given in the statement, decide which of the suggested courses of action logically follow(s) for pursuing.
Statement: Students are found spending too much time on video games.
Course of Action I: Ban mobile games.
Course of Action II: Encourage students to engage in outdoor activities.
Each question given below consists of a statement, followed by two arguments numbered I and II. You have to decide which of the arguments is a 'strong' argument and which is a 'weak' argument.
Statement : Should free healthcare be provided to all citizens regardless of income?
Argument I : Yes, healthcare is a basic right and should be accessible to all.
Argument II : No, it will put excessive financial pressure on the government.
Important Questions from Statements and Arguments
Two statements S1 and S2 are given below followed by a Question:
S1: There are not more than two figures on any page of a 51-page book.
S2: There is at least one figure on every page.
Question: Are there more than 1oo figures in that book? Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above Statements and the Question?
Two Statements S 1 and S2 are given below with regard to four numbers P, Q, R and S followed by a Question:
S1: R is greater-than P as well as Q.
S2: S is not the largest one. Among four numbers P, Q, R and S which one is the largest?
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above Statements and the Question?
Two Statements Si and S2 are given below followed by a Question:
S1: n is a prime number.
S2: n leaves a remainder of 1 when divided by 4. If n is a unique natural number between 10 and 20, then what is n?
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above Statements and the Question?
Two Statements S1 and S2 are given below with regard to two numbers followed by a Question:
S1: Their product is 21.
S2: Their sum is 10. Question: What are the two numbers?
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above Statements and the Question?
Three Statements S1, S2 and S3 are given below followed by a Question:
S1: C is younger than D, but older than A and B.
S2: D is the oldest.
S3: A is older than B. Question: Who among A, B, C and D is the youngest?
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above Statements and the Question?
